Dimitris Karampatakis, Co-Founder
What is K-Studio’s Design Process?
Karampatakis shared the design process with us over a Zoom call, explaining how the physical surroundings are always the starting point: “The root design in the plot is the starting point. Then we think about the cultural and contextual understanding, taking into account who was there before us and how they lived.”
Can you Explain More About the “Slow Living” Focus?
“Slow living is taking a bit longer than is necessary to go from one place to another. This is first enjoyable, and then you realize that it’s healthy too. In Greece, we’ve always had an understanding of this - a rhythm through life.” Karampatakis noted that the Greek process of slow living helps reduce tension and helps us process things.
Will “Slow Living” Ever Change in Greece?
“Slow living is becoming more of a luxury in Greek cities, and there is resistance to this. In our projects, we try to create spaces that force you to take longer to get to your destination, while also creating a space for emotional stillness. When in a building, we don’t want to be on high alert - we want to be relaxed. Simple features beyond architecture like a warm light or the presence of a tree can help with this.”
What is the Future of Architecture in Greece?
“There is lots of investment in this space, so architecture in Greece is generally healthy right now. Increasingly, it takes a complex team to produce good work.” Karampatakis also touched on the approachability of Greek architecture: “The scale in Greece is very human. It celebrates life and celebrates humans. This is one reason why Greece is so attractive to tourists.” Karampatakis also sees opportunity in the natural landscape, offering the example of a cave home: “We’re privileged to have a volcano. The effect of digging a hole in the side of the volcano is a form of architecture. When you dig a hole in the middle of London, it doesn’t have the same effect.”
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